I think a considerable party has got behind the French lines under cover of the storm and has passed through Chastel." "But they must have gone on.

Why would they remain in a ruined town like this ?" "I see no reason for their doing so, unless to seek shelter for a while in some buildings not wholly wrecked, just as you and Mademoiselle Lannes' party have done." John felt a throb of alarm.
"Has the Hotel de l'Europe escaped their observation ?" he asked.
"I think so.

I did not notice any light myself when I approached it.

But I had been in Chastel before, and of course knew of the house and its location.

I went there at once, hoping that it had escaped destruction, and found my hopes justified.